Optimizing aggression in combative sports - An analytical approach

Abstract

The world of combative sports is full of action, excitement and hidden complexities. While each combat style has its unique facets that make it different from other combat practices, but a common characteristic is the systematization of fighting techniques along with a deep usage of mental skill. Competitive combative sports like boxing, wrestling and judo stipulate rigorous psycho-physical and emotive training that must be planned scientifically as per the requirements of the particular sports. Aggression is used extensively in sports and is an inevitable part of combative sports. Since its fluctuation is necessary for better and winning performance, the present study was undertaken to examine its primary functional applicability in such sports. The subjects, male and female international boxers, wrestlers and judokas (N=120), were administered the Aggression Scale (Pal and Naquavi, 1980) to find out their levels of aggression. Univariate analysis of variance was applied to find out inter-sport differences, descriptive statistics and t-test were also applied. The results indicated significant inter sport differences among the three male sports groups. The international male boxers had significantly lower level of aggression as compared to the wrestlers and judokas. Among female players, significant differences have been found and only the wrestlers have been found to have significantly higher level of aggression as compared to the international female boxers.

Features of theoretical training in combative sports

Abstract

The article deals with the theoretical training as a major driver of the effectiveness of the training process of athletes at different stages of long-term training in combative sports. Purpose: The Purpose is determination of problem aspects of theoretical training in combative sports (fencing and taekwondo). Results: Theoretical training is realized from 4 hours to 30 hours of total training load at various stages of long-term development in fencing (from 1,2 % to 1,8 %). In taekwondo theoretical training is realized from 6 hours to 69 hours of total training load at various stages of long-term development (from 1,9 % to 3,9 %). Negative aspects of theoretical training in a group of combat sports are the lack of specificity and differentiation of means and methods of theoretical training at different stages of development, the lack of information structuring in long-term training, neglecting of control in the theoretical training of athletes.

Abstract

Although an increased number of those practising martial arts, there is little information about the physiological responses induced by such physical activities. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the effect of an official kickboxing game (three 2-min rounds with a 1-min break between rounds) on handgrip muscle strength (HGS) considering the outcome of the game (winners vs. losers). Thirty-one kickboxers (age 24.5 (6.0) years, weight 74.1 (11.6) kg, height 1.77 (0.08) m and body mass index 23.5 (2.2) kg.m-2, mean (standard deviation)) were examined for anthropometric characteristics and performed the HGS test using an isometric digital dynamometer (Takei, Tokyo, Japan) before and after a game. Dominant and non-dominant hand HGS was measured and their sum was calculated. Post-game HGS decreased in total (-3.5 kg (-5.6;-1.4), 0.15 (mean (95% CI), effect size), in the dominant hand (-1.9 kg (-2.9;-0.9), 0.16) and in the non-dominant hand (-1.6 kg (-3.3;- 0.6), 0.14). The largest decreases were noticed in winners (-4.6 kg (-6.5;-2.7), 0.22; -2.4 kg (-3.5;-1.3), 0.23; -2.2 kg (-3.4;-1.0), 0.21, respectively), while the corresponding findings in losers were not statistically significant (- 1.8 kg (-6.4;2.9), 0.07; -1.1 kg (-3.3;1.1), 0.08; -0.7 kg (-3.3;2.0), 0.05, respectively). We also observed different patterns in variability changes; variability increased in losers, while it decreased in winners. In conclusion, a kickboxing game has a negative effect of small size on HGS and this effect is related with the outcome of the game. The findings of this study can be used by coaches and fitness trainers in order to evaluate training load and achieve neuromuscular loads similar to game demands.